Extendable table with foldable leaves



Jan. 19, 1954 Filed March 16. 1953 V H. ALPERSTEIN EXTENDABLE TABLE WITH FOLDABLE LEAVES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

HARRY ALPER$TEIM WQLW ATTORNEYS H. ALPERSTEIN EXTENDABLE TABLE WITH FOLDABLE LEAVES Jan. 19, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 16. 1953 INVENTOR.

HARRY A LPERSTE/N i M Flaw ATTOR/VFyS Patented Jan. 19, 1954 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Harry Alperstein, Belle Harbor, N. Y.

ApplicationMarch 16, 1953, Serial No. 342,364 2 Claims. (01. 311-54) invention .relates to an improved extension table.

in accordance with my invention, 1 provide a table which has a longitudinally'extending main frame and end extension frames which are mounted on said main frame at each end thereof. Said end. frames are longitudinally inovable in extension and retraction movements. 1 provide inner end extension leaves which are also mounted on saidmain frame for longitudinal movement and which are adapted to be supported by said extension frames when in extended position. I' al'so provide outer extension leaves which are hingedly connected to the inher extension leaves, said outer extension leaves tudinally outwardly of said centerleaf. J"

neiimpbrtantf 'bjec't .Of y invfntionj' is to .provide simple. improved means for supporting the centerwas on the plane. of .the. outer exten- :sionleaves-when the. inner leaves are in their intermediate extended positions.- In part,.I accomplish thisv object. by hingingtheouter ex? tension leaves to. the inner.v extension leaves at the outer lateral edges thereof, .and by making .the outer extensionleaves of shorter length than the inner extension leaf. As a result of this construction, it is possible to provide ledges for reception of the front and rear end portions of the centerleaf, in theintermediate extended position of the table.

Said table also has a fullyextended position in which the outer extension leaves are positioned longitudinally outwardly of the inner extension leaves andlare supported by the extensionv frames.

Another "important feature of my invention is the provision of improved means coupling the inner extension leaves to each othergand similei-means coupling the extension frames to each fother, whereby manual movement of one of the in'n'e'r extension leaves or of one of the exten- -sion frames results automatically the appro- 2 priate movement of the other inner extension leaf or the other extension frame.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following de scription, in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which a preferred embodiment is disclosed. The drawings are approximately to scale of a working model of the invention.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved table, showing same in retracted position.

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing only the center leaf and the end frames, the latter being shown extended.

Fig. 4 is an exploded bottom plan view of the intermediate extension leaves.

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the table partly extended.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section, partly inside elevation, of the table, showing it partly extended.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7, showing the table fully extended.

Upon reference to the drawings in detail, it will be noted that they show a main table frame III which is substantially rectangular and which extends longitudinally. Said frame I!) comprises a pair of longitudinally and transversely extending side bars 102) and a pair of laterally and transversely extending endbars Illa. Frame l0 also has the usual legs I I at the corners thereof, said frame bars being respectively connected be.- tween respective pairs of legs H. The means for holding frame I!) together are conventional and are not shown in detail.

The top faces of side frame bars lb and th top faces of legs I l are located in a common horizontal plane, and the top faces of end frame bars Illa are located below said plane.

A plurality of longitudinal guide bars are fixed at their. respective ends to the upper faces of the respective end frame bars Illa. Said longitudinal guide bars, which are laterally spaced from each other, comprise a central guide bar 11, guide bars 18 located on either. side of bar ll, guide bars 24 respectively located laterally outwardly of the respective bars l8. and guide 'bars 23 respectivelylocated laterally outwardly of the respective bars 24. Said guide bars 23 are dinal guide bars are clearly shown in Figs. 2, 5 andfig... i :I

The upper faces of the longitudinal guide bars ll, I8, 23 and 24 are all located in the common horizontal plane of the top faces of bars lflb and legs II.

I provide a pair of end extension frames 2| and 2la, which are clearly shown in Fig. 3 and in other views. Each said extension frame 2| and Zla comprises a laterally and transversely extending endbar Sand a pair oflegs Simounted on said end bar 9; Said frame 2| also comprises a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending slide bars 22 attached to end bar 85 Said frame 2m also comprisesa pair.v of. later. ally spaced, longitudinally extending slide bars;

22a attached to end bar 9.

In the assembly of main frame. LB: and5'ex.-.-

tension frames 25 and Zia, extension. frame. bar. 9 of frame 2! is positioned longitudinally out"- wardly of one end of frame Ill, with extension;

bars '22 respectively extending frictionally slidably between respective guidev bars 23. and 24. Extension frame bar Sof framezla. is positioned longitudinally outwardly of the other. end. of frame. H), with extension bars 22a respectively extending frictionally. slidably between a IESPQQ- tive guide bar 23 and a respective frame bar l-Db. As a result, extension frames 2] and. Zia are respectively slidabl'e between their. retracted positions, clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2,,in. which their frame bars 9 and legs 8, are positioned adjacent the respective endsof main. frame. l0, and their fully extended positions, clearly shown in Fig. 8, in which the bars 9 and. legs 8' are remotely spaced from the respective. ends of. main frame Ill. Figs. 6 and. 7 show extension frames 2| and. 2m in respective. intermediate extended positions, in which. the frame bars. 9' and legs 8 are positioned intermediatetheir respective retracted and fully extendedpositions.

The upper faces of the longitudinal. slide. bars 22 and 22a are all located. in. the common horizontal plane of the top faces. of bars lilb. and legs II.

In the retracted positions of. extension frames '2! and 21a, the respective bars. 22 and, 22a ex.- tend almost the full length of main frame Ill, thereby permitting maximumextension of frames 2! and Zia in relation to the. length of frame Hi.

My improved table. also comprises a center a e leaf 26, two inner extension leaves. 13 and two outer extension leaves 14..

As is clearly shown in Fig. 4 and in other views,

each said inner extension leaf !3 is substantially rectangular in shape and has a longitudinally extending slide bar l5 mounted on the lower face thereof. Said bars I 6 also extend longitudinally inwardly of the respective proximate edges of said leaves l3. Said leaves l3 are adapted to be mounted on the table With said slide bars 55 respectively extending frictlonally slidably between the center guide bar I! and the respective guide bars l8. As a result, leaves 13 are respectively slidable between their retracted positions, clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in which the inner edges of leaves 13 substantially abut each other, and their fully extended positions, clearly shown in Fig. 8, in. which the inner ed es o leaves [3 are located slightly outwardly of the respective end pairs of legs I l. Figs. 6 and '7 show extension leaves [3 in respective interme' diate extended positions, in which the inner edges thereof are located. in transverse registration with the top faces of the respective end pairs of legs ll. J

Said leaves l3 rest frictionally slidablv'uno i of'a hinge I51 Said outer extension leaves I4 matic llv correspondin have respective retracted positions, clearly shown in Fig.3.? 1', send 6, in which they rest upon the upper. faces, of, the respective inner extension leaves [3. Said outer extension leaves have resnective. extended positions, clearly shown in Fig. 8, in which they rest upon the upper faces of... the respective hars22an 122doi the re p tive frames 2| and 21a, said leaves l4 then. extending outwardly. of. leaves l3 and. al 9 trudingheyondthe respe tiveend pairs of le s 8.-

Leaves. Mare respectiv ly s htly s t r than leaves. [3. Therefore, in, the retracted positions of. leaves I.4, theinner edges. thereof are located sli htly outwardly of. theresnective inner ed es of. leaves. L3... This clearly shown. in Figs. 1 andfl Center leaf. 2.6. has, a. pair of depending pins l, as clearly hown Figs. 3 and 5. Said pins 1. are. resp ctively. vertically slidable n suitable throueh.and.-throueh. enings h re pe iv uide bars '23- .Said pins l are located at the longitudinalieenter. line f ain frame. It... Leaves l3v have notchesfi the respectiv inner edges e f. as clearly lia. a, so. as t v provide. suitable on 'n s. tor. the. respecti pins 1 when leav s. l3. replaced in he r retracted p sitions.- .Qnt onally, he edg s. f. lea :3. may be. slightly spaced. longitu inally from each other. th r retracted pos tions. to ro.- vide clearance for nine L.

Center leaf Z6 uppe posi i n clear y sh wn Figs. 1; and a. in whi h t. rests u leaves 14, said. leaves. 14. tu n r t l rest.- ing u on. the. retiree ed; l a 3., Cente a 26 has an intermedia p clea y sho n in Big... 1 winch. it hated longitudina between the o ter extension lea es. It and. rest upon the po tions. of. he parti lly extended: l a es 13' which. are locat d. inw rdl said. lea s Center. leaf'lfi asa lower position, dea y shown Fig. .8. in whi h it. loc ted longitu inally b tween the inner exte sion leav l3 and. res direc ly up n the top 0 ma n frame l As is clearly shown n. Figsan i mean ar opti nally and pre erably provided. fo couplin rames 2!; and 2m, to permi multan iis ex enr si n or retracti n th reof; i also o ousins extensio leaves i i, to permit simultaneou xtension or retraction thereof; A pair of pulleys 5 are respec i ely mou e on t r spe e en or uide bar ,lxl n the low fac h eof, s as to be turnable a out resp ctive transv r e axe A con inuous cable la is mounted on sai pull y 5. Said cable 19 is flxed at two points thereof, by any suitable f stening 2. o, the lo li s bars l5 atinter c d. to points thereof. It; -ill be apparen tha wh n either of leaves is s manual y ext nded or retracted, the 0 er lea will b autoextended orret actedsimilarly Pulleys in are on ea h end 5 of each guide bar 23. A continuous cable 25 is mounted on each pair of pulleys 5a. Said cable 25 is fixed by means 20 to the respective slide bars 22 and 22a adjacent said bar 23. It will be apparent that when either of the extension frames 2| or 2|a is manually extended or retracted, the other extension frame will be automatically correspondingly extended or retracted.

Certain of the details of construction, such as optional bracing members for frame l8 and for frames 2| and 2|a, the details of the manner-of assembly of the various longitudinal bars to the frames, and the manner of mounting the pulleys, have been omitted from the drawings, in order that the essential features of the invention will not be obscured.

As is clearly shown in Fig. 5, the side faces of the guide bars I1, I8, 24, 23 and I b are optionally with longitudinal ridges I which ride in corresponding longitudinal grooves 2 in the side faces of the slide bars i6, 22 and 22a. As a result of this construction, or other suitable construction, each slide bar moves smoothly between its associated guide bars, and transverse movement of the slide bars with respect to frame I0 is substantially prevented.

The operations of extending the table from its retracted position of Figs. 1 and 2 to its partly extended position of Figs. 6 and 7, and finally to its fuly extended position of Fig. 8 are as follows:

One of the extension frames 2| or 2 la is manually moved from its retracted position of Fig. 1 to its intermediate extended position of Figs. 6 and '7, the other extension frame being thereby automatically moved to a corresponding position.

One of the inner extension leaves I3 is then manually moved from its retracted position of Fig. 1 to its intermediate extended position of Figs. 6 and 7, the other leaf I3 being thereby automatically moved to a corresponding position. Outer extension leaves M are now located longitudinally outwardly of center leaf 26, which drops downwardly until it rests upon the portions of the leaves l3 which are located inwardly of leaves M. This is clearly shown in Fig. 7. In this intermediate extended position of the table, leaf 26 and leaves l4 provide a common, co-planar table top.

When it is desired to extend the table fully, the extension frames 2| and 2 la are moved outwardly, by manual manipulation of either of said frames, to their fully extended positions of Fig, 8. Inner extension leaves i3 are moved a slight distance outwardly, by manual manipulation of either of said leaves, to their fully extended positions of Fig. 8. Said leaves i3 are now located longitudinally outward y of center leaf 26, which drops downwardly until it rests upon main frame i0 and upon the various fixed guide bars- This is clearly shown in Fig. 8. Leaves i4 are'then turned upon their hinges I5 until they rest upon the respective guide bars 22 and 22a and protrude beyond the ends of the respective frames 2| and Zla. In this fully extended position of the table, leaf 26, leaves l3 and leaves l4 provide a common, co-planar table top.

It will be apparent that optionally the table may be moved directly from its retracted position to its fully extended position. The steps invo'ved in retracting the table from either of its extended positions do not require any detailed description. In the retraction operation, it is neces sary to raise center leaf 26 manually to permit retraction of leaves l3 and of leaves I4.

While I have disclosed a preferred embodiment aeeaoso of my invention and have indicated various changes, additions and omissions which may be made therein, it will be apparent that various otherchanges, additions and omissions may be made in my invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof.

In the working model of the table illustrated in the drawings, the top of the table when fully retracted was approximately 3 feet wide and 5 feet long. When the table was extended to its intermediate extended position, the top was approximatelylO feet long. When the table was fuly extended, the top was slightly less than 15 feet long.

I claim:

1. An extension table comprising a longitudinally extending frame adapted-to rest upon a floor, a pair of inner extension leaves, means mounting said inner extension leaves on top of said frame so that they are longitudinally aligned and longitudinally movable, a pair of outer extension leaves respectively hingedly connected to said inner extension leaves at the respective outer edges thereof, said outer extension leaves being respectively movable between positions in which they overlie and rest upon said respective inner leaves and positions in which they are in longitudinal aligmnent with said inner leaves, said outer extension leaves being of shorter length than said inner extension leaves, a center leaf, means mounting said center leaf on top of said frame and permitting vertical movement of said center leaf, said leaves being co-operatively movable to determine a retracted condition of said table in which said center leaf rests upon said outer extension leaves and in which said outer extension leaves rest upon said inner extension leaves, a partially extended condition of said table in which said center leaf is positioned longitudinally between said outer extension leaves and in which said center leaf and said outer extension leaves rest upon said inner extension leaves, and a fully extended condition of said table in which said center leaf is positioned longitudinally between said inner extension leaves and rests directly upon said frame.

2. An extension table comprising a longitudinally extending frame adapted to rest upon a floor, a pair of inner extension leaves, means mounting said inner extension leaves on top of said frame so that they are longitudinally aligned and are longitudinally movable between respective retracted positions in which they are proximate to each other andsubstantially rest upon the top of said frame, and respective extended positions in which they are remote from each other and respectively protrude forwardly and rearwardly beyond said frame, a pair of outer extension leaves respectively hingedly connected to said inner extension leaves at the respective outer lateral edges thereof, said outer extension leaves being respectively movable between positions in which they overlie and rest upon said respective inner leaves and positions in which they are in longitudinal alignment with said inner leaves, means attached to said frame for supporting said outer extension leaves in the latter positions thereof, the inner lateral edge of each said outer extension leaf when overlying an inner extension leaf being located longitudinally outwardly of the inner lateral edge of said inner extension leaf, a center leaf, means mounting said center leaf on top of said frame and permitting vertical movement of said center leaf between a top position in which it overlies said outer exasqaesa nsinn. leaves.v when..said"uuter extension leaves overliezsaidjinnere-extension leaves, andsaid inner extension. leaves; are; retracted, .a second position inwhich it.restsupomsaidlinner extension leaves when said. outer. extension leaves overlie said inner extension leavesiand'said inner extension:

leavesareplaced in. an intermediate position in which. said center. leaf is located longitudinally inwardly of said cuter.v extension leaves, and a" b.0ttom,p.osition inwhich. it is" located between said inner. extension leaves andirests .upon said.

frame ,when. said. inner; extension. leaves are in their eXtEIldQdfiOSitlOIiSi.

HARRY ALPERSTEIN.

8;. References. Cited in. the file of this. patent UNIT-EDI STATES PATEN'IS? 

